QUICK PHYSICS INFO: Force of Nothing; Casimir Effect !!
Casimir effect was first discovered 50 years ago by the Dutch physicist Hendrik Casimir. In a very solid box, if we empty a single atom until there is no atom and lower its temperature to -273.15 C, which is an absolute zero, we have obtained a nothingness in the physical sense. What happens if I place two mirrors face to face? Our first answer is "nothing happens", but even in the absence, there is a force pulling the mirrors together. This force is called Casimir effect.
This phenomenon, which has not been emphasized for many years, has gained importance again due to the fact that the technology is still progressing and capable of making precise measurements by producing sensitive devices. Casimir discovered it while working on colloidal solutions. Colloidal solutions are solutions in the form of a dye or mayonnaise. They contain particles in the liquid. The properties of colloidal solutes are explained by van der Waals forces formed between neutral atoms and molecules. Casimir noticed that it was not possible to explain this at some points,
Even space itself is filled with vacuum fluctuations. In fact, vacuum fluctuations are something that can be observed in experiments. An atom in the excited state returns to its normal state by emitting a photon. This is due to vacuum fluctuations. If we try to stop a pencil in the upside down state, even if there is no air flow or a shake in the environment, it can not stay that long and falls to one side due to vacuum fluctuations.
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Vacuum fluctuations are quantum fields, just like electromagnetic fields. vacuum fluctuations are present in each frequency. Waves are reflected between the mirrors, but as the reflection takes place there is a situation like this: The field is amplified by half waves traveling between two mirrors. ie the other wavelengths are suppressed. "Cavity resonance" has been used to express this event. The pressure between the mirrors is less than the outside and the mirrors are attracted to each other. In vacuum fluctuations, metal plates are used instead of mirrors.
According to another theory, virtual particles are responsible for vacuum fluctuations. Virtual particles are theoretical particles introduced in the framework of quantum theory. The uncertainty principle determines which intervals they will emerge. Virtual particles are objects between presence and absence (this was a very ambitious thing to say!). They appear with positive energy and disappear with negative energy.
This is a real mind boggling phenomenon. The idea that particles/antiparticles appear out of nowhere then disappear.
It's so weird...
As the quantum rules our world. We should get used to seeing the weirdest everywhere.